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← Older revision		Revision as of 14:16, 21 December 2022
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	{{Short description\|Indian and Nepalese national soldiers}}		{{Short description\|Indian and Nepalese national soldiers}}
	{{redirect2\|Gorkha\|Gorkhali\|the early modern state\|Gorkha Kingdom\|other uses\|Gurkha (disambiguation)}}		{{redirect2\|Gorkha\|Gorkhali\|the early modern state\|Gorkha Kingdom\|other uses\|Gurkha (disambiguation)}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2020}}
	[[File:Nepali soldiers Le Bon 1885.jpg\|thumb\|Nepali soldiers, by [[Gustave Le Bon]], 1885.]]		[[File:Nepali soldiers Le Bon 1885.jpg\|thumb\|Nepali soldiers, by [[Gustave Le Bon]], 1885.]]
	[[File:Gurkha Soldier Monument, London - April 2008.jpg\|thumb\|Monument to the Gurkha Soldier in [[Horse Guards Avenue]], outside the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)\|Ministry of Defence]], [[City of Westminster]], London.]]		[[File:Gurkha Soldier Monument, London - April 2008.jpg\|thumb\|Monument to the Gurkha Soldier in [[Horse Guards Avenue]], outside the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)\|Ministry of Defence]], [[City of Westminster]], London.]]
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	Historically, the terms "Gurkha" and "Gorkhali" were synonymous with "Nepali", which originates from the hill principality [[Gorkha Kingdom]], from which the [[Kingdom of Nepal]] expanded under [[Prithvi Narayan Shah]].<ref name=BBC-2010>{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-10782099\|title=Who are the Gurkhas?\|work=[[BBC News]]\|date=27 July 2010\|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref><ref>Land of the Gurkhas; or, the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, p. 44, by W.B. Northy (London, 1937)</ref> The name may be traced to the medieval [[Hindu]] warrior-saint Guru [[Gorakhnath]]<ref>[http://asianhistory.about.com/od/glossaryfj/g/GlosGurkha.htm asianhistory.about.com] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017000403/http://asianhistory.about.com/od/glossaryfj/g/GlosGurkha.htm \|date=17 October 2011 }} ''Who are the Gorkha?''</ref> who has a historic shrine in [[Gorkha District]]. The word itself derived from ''Go-Raksha'' ({{Lang-ne\|गोरक्षा}} i.e., 'Protector(रक्षा) of cows(गो')), ''raksha'' becoming ''rakha'' (रखा). ''Rakhawala'' means 'protector' and is derived from ''raksha'' as well.		Historically, the terms "Gurkha" and "Gorkhali" were synonymous with "Nepali", which originates from the hill principality [[Gorkha Kingdom]], from which the [[Kingdom of Nepal]] expanded under [[Prithvi Narayan Shah]].<ref name=BBC-2010>{{cite news\|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-10782099\|title=Who are the Gurkhas?\|work=[[BBC News]]\|date=27 July 2010\|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref><ref>Land of the Gurkhas; or, the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, p. 44, by W.B. Northy (London, 1937)</ref> The name may be traced to the medieval [[Hindu]] warrior-saint Guru [[Gorakhnath]]<ref>[http://asianhistory.about.com/od/glossaryfj/g/GlosGurkha.htm asianhistory.about.com] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017000403/http://asianhistory.about.com/od/glossaryfj/g/GlosGurkha.htm \|date=17 October 2011 }} ''Who are the Gorkha?''</ref> who has a historic shrine in [[Gorkha District]]. The word itself derived from ''Go-Raksha'' ({{Lang-ne\|गोरक्षा}} i.e., 'Protector(रक्षा) of cows(गो')), ''raksha'' becoming ''rakha'' (रखा). ''Rakhawala'' means 'protector' and is derived from ''raksha'' as well.

	There are Gurkha military units in the [[Nepalese Army\|Nepalese]], [[British army\|British]] and [[Indian army\|Indian]] armies enlisted in Nepal, United Kingdom, India and Singapore. Although they meet many of the criteria of Article 47<ref>{{cite journal \|last=Kinsey \|first=Christopher \|url=http://journals.openedition.org/conflits/11502 \|title=International Law and the Control of Mercenaries and Private Military Companies \|journal=Cultures & Conflits \|date=26 June 2008\|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> of [[Protocol I]] of the [[Geneva Conventions]] regarding [[mercenary\|mercenaries]], they are exempt under clauses [[s:Protocol I#Art 47. Mercenaries\|47(e) and (f)]], similar to [[French Foreign Legion\|Légion étrangère]].<ref>{{cite web \|last=Wither \|first=James \|url=http://da.mod.uk/defac/colleges/csrc/document-listings/special/05(04)-JW.doc \|title=Expeditionary Forces for Post Modern Europe: Will European Military Weakness Provide an Opportunity for the New Condottieri? \|website=Conflict Studies Research Centre \|date=January 2005 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021003627/http://da.mod.uk/defac/colleges/csrc/document-listings/special/05%2804%29-JW.doc \|page=11 \|archive-date=21 October ~~2022~~}}</ref>		There are Gurkha military units in the [[Nepalese Army\|Nepalese]], [[British army\|British]] and [[Indian army\|Indian]] armies enlisted in Nepal, United Kingdom, India and Singapore. Although they meet many of the criteria of Article 47<ref>{{cite journal \|last=Kinsey \|first=Christopher \|url=http://journals.openedition.org/conflits/11502 \|title=International Law and the Control of Mercenaries and Private Military Companies \|journal=Cultures & Conflits \|date=26 June 2008\|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> of [[Protocol I]] of the [[Geneva Conventions]] regarding [[mercenary\|mercenaries]], they are exempt under clauses [[s:Protocol I#Art 47. Mercenaries\|47(e) and (f)]], similar to [[French Foreign Legion\|Légion étrangère]].<ref>{{cite web \|last=Wither \|first=James \|url=http://da.mod.uk/defac/colleges/csrc/document-listings/special/05(04)-JW.doc \|title=Expeditionary Forces for Post Modern Europe: Will European Military Weakness Provide an Opportunity for the New Condottieri? \|website=Conflict Studies Research Centre \|date=January 2005 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021003627/http://da.mod.uk/defac/colleges/csrc/document-listings/special/05%2804%29-JW.doc \|page=11 \|archive-date=21 October 2007}}</ref>

	== Background ==		== Background ==
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	During the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], Gurkhas fought on the British side and became part of the [[British Indian Army]] on its formation. The [[2nd Gurkha Rifles\|8th (Sirmoor) Local Battalion]] made a notable contribution during the conflict, and 25 [[Indian Order of Merit]] awards were made to men from that regiment during the Siege of Delhi.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|p=58}}		During the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], Gurkhas fought on the British side and became part of the [[British Indian Army]] on its formation. The [[2nd Gurkha Rifles\|8th (Sirmoor) Local Battalion]] made a notable contribution during the conflict, and 25 [[Indian Order of Merit]] awards were made to men from that regiment during the Siege of Delhi.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|p=58}}

	Three days after the rebellion began, the Sirmoor Battalion was ordered to move to Meerut, where the British garrison was barely holding on, and in doing so they had to march up to 48 kilometres a day.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|p=57}} Later, during the four-month Siege of Delhi, they defended [[Raja Hindu Rao\|Hindu Rao]]'s house, losing 327 of 490 men. During this action they fought side by side with the [[60th Rifles]] and a strong bond developed.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.army.mod.uk/gurkhas/history.aspx \| title = History of the Brigade of Gurkhas \| website=Brigade of Gurkhas \|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120403165108/http://www.army.mod.uk/gurkhas/history.aspx \|archive-date= 3 April ~~2022~~}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \|first=Heather \|last=Streets \|year=2004 \|title=Martial races: the military, race and masculinity in British imperial culture, 1857–1914 \|publisher=Manchester University Press \|isbn=0-7190-6962-9 \|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=BscnZT_1po8C&lpg=PP1&pg=PA79#v=onepage&q&f=false 79] }}</ref>		Three days after the rebellion began, the Sirmoor Battalion was ordered to move to Meerut, where the British garrison was barely holding on, and in doing so they had to march up to 48 kilometres a day.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|p=57}} Later, during the four-month Siege of Delhi, they defended [[Raja Hindu Rao\|Hindu Rao]]'s house, losing 327 of 490 men. During this action they fought side by side with the [[60th Rifles]] and a strong bond developed.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.army.mod.uk/gurkhas/history.aspx \| title = History of the Brigade of Gurkhas \| website=Brigade of Gurkhas \|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120403165108/http://www.army.mod.uk/gurkhas/history.aspx \|archive-date= 3 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book \|first=Heather \|last=Streets \|year=2004 \|title=Martial races: the military, race and masculinity in British imperial culture, 1857–1914 \|publisher=Manchester University Press \|isbn=0-7190-6962-9 \|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=BscnZT_1po8C&lpg=PP1&pg=PA79#v=onepage&q&f=false 79] }}</ref>

	Twelve regiments from the Nepalese Army also took part in the relief of [[Lucknow]]{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|pp=62–63}} under the command of Shri Teen (3) Maharaja [[Jung Bahadur Rana]] of Nepal and his older brother C-in-C [[Ranodip Singh Kunwar]] (Ranaudip Singh Bahadur Rana) (later to succeed Jung Bahadur and become Sri Teen Maharaja Ranodip Singh of Nepal).		Twelve regiments from the Nepalese Army also took part in the relief of [[Lucknow]]{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|pp=62–63}} under the command of Shri Teen (3) Maharaja [[Jung Bahadur Rana]] of Nepal and his older brother C-in-C [[Ranodip Singh Kunwar]] (Ranaudip Singh Bahadur Rana) (later to succeed Jung Bahadur and become Sri Teen Maharaja Ranodip Singh of Nepal).
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	Following the end of the war, the Gurkhas were returned to India, and during the inter-war years were largely kept away from the internal strife and urban conflicts of the sub-continent, instead being employed largely on the frontiers and in the hills where fiercely independent tribesmen were a constant source of trouble.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|p=150}}		Following the end of the war, the Gurkhas were returned to India, and during the inter-war years were largely kept away from the internal strife and urban conflicts of the sub-continent, instead being employed largely on the frontiers and in the hills where fiercely independent tribesmen were a constant source of trouble.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|p=150}}

	As such, between the World Wars the Gurkha regiments fought in the [[Third Afghan War]] in 1919. The regiments then participated in numerous campaigns on the North-West Frontier, mainly in [[Waziristan]], where they were employed as garrison troops defending the frontier. They kept the peace among the local populace and engaged with the lawless and often openly hostile [[Pashtun people\|Pathan tribesmen]].{{citation needed\|date=September ~~2022~~}}		As such, between the World Wars the Gurkha regiments fought in the [[Third Afghan War]] in 1919. The regiments then participated in numerous campaigns on the North-West Frontier, mainly in [[Waziristan]], where they were employed as garrison troops defending the frontier. They kept the peace among the local populace and engaged with the lawless and often openly hostile [[Pashtun people\|Pathan tribesmen]].{{citation needed\|date=September 2017}}

	During this time the North-West Frontier was the scene of considerable political and civil unrest and troops stationed at Razmak, Bannu, and Wanna saw extensive action.<ref>For more detail see {{harvnb\|Barthorp\|2002\|p=}}.{{page needed\|date=June ~~2022~~}}</ref>		During this time the North-West Frontier was the scene of considerable political and civil unrest and troops stationed at Razmak, Bannu, and Wanna saw extensive action.<ref>For more detail see {{harvnb\|Barthorp\|2002\|p=}}.{{page needed\|date=June 2011}}</ref>

	[[File:Ghurkas in action with a 6-pdr anti-tank gun in Tunisia, 16 March 1943. NA1103.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Gurkhas in action with a [[Ordnance QF 6-pounder\|six-pounder anti-tank gun]] in Tunisia, 16 March 1943.]]		[[File:Ghurkas in action with a 6-pdr anti-tank gun in Tunisia, 16 March 1943. NA1103.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Gurkhas in action with a [[Ordnance QF 6-pounder\|six-pounder anti-tank gun]] in Tunisia, 16 March 1943.]]
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	=== Indian Special Frontier Force ===		=== Indian Special Frontier Force ===
	The [[Special Frontier Force]] (SFF) is an Indian paramilitary organization consisting of Tibetan refugees, Nepali Gurkhas, and other ethnic groups from mountainous areas. The SFF is tasked with conducting covert actions against China in the event of another Sino-Indian war. The SFF was originally intended to exclusively consist of Tibetan refugees living in India, however, the SFF began recruiting Nepali Gurkhas and hill tribesmen in 1965 to make up for a declining recruitment rate among Tibetans. It is believed there are around 700 Gurkhas serving in the SFF.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.thedefencearchive.com/post/special-frontier-force\|title = Special Frontier Force: Invaluable yet Inconspicuous\|date = 17 November ~~2022~~}}</ref>		The [[Special Frontier Force]] (SFF) is an Indian paramilitary organization consisting of Tibetan refugees, Nepali Gurkhas, and other ethnic groups from mountainous areas. The SFF is tasked with conducting covert actions against China in the event of another Sino-Indian war. The SFF was originally intended to exclusively consist of Tibetan refugees living in India, however, the SFF began recruiting Nepali Gurkhas and hill tribesmen in 1965 to make up for a declining recruitment rate among Tibetans. It is believed there are around 700 Gurkhas serving in the SFF.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.thedefencearchive.com/post/special-frontier-force\|title = Special Frontier Force: Invaluable yet Inconspicuous\|date = 17 November 2020}}</ref>

	== Other ==		== Other ==
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	{{Main\|List of Brigade of Gurkhas recipients of the Victoria Cross}}		{{Main\|List of Brigade of Gurkhas recipients of the Victoria Cross}}

	There have been 26 [[Victoria Cross]]es (VC) awarded to soldiers of Gurkha regiments.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|pp=391–393}} The first was awarded in 1858 and the last in 1965.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Brigade of Gurkhas; Honours and Awards: Victoria Cross \|url=http://army.mod.uk/gurkhas/7561.aspx \|website=British Army \|publisher=Ministry of Defence \|access-date=27 January 2021 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205193507/http://army.mod.uk/gurkhas/7561.aspx \|archive-date=5 February ~~2022~~}}</ref> Thirteen of the recipients have been British officers serving with Gurkha regiments. Since 1915, the majority have been awarded to Gurkhas serving in the ranks as private soldiers or NCOs.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|p=xvii}} Since Indian independence in 1947, Gurkhas serving in the Indian Army have been awarded three ''[[Param Vir Chakra]]s'', which are equivalent to the Victoria Cross.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.prideofindia.net/param.html\|title=Param Vir Chakra\|work=Pride of India.net\|access-date=29 May 2009\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525075456/http://prideofindia.net/param.html\|archive-date=25 May ~~2022~~}}</ref>		There have been 26 [[Victoria Cross]]es (VC) awarded to soldiers of Gurkha regiments.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|pp=391–393}} The first was awarded in 1858 and the last in 1965.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Brigade of Gurkhas; Honours and Awards: Victoria Cross \|url=http://army.mod.uk/gurkhas/7561.aspx \|website=British Army \|publisher=Ministry of Defence \|access-date=27 January 2021 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205193507/http://army.mod.uk/gurkhas/7561.aspx \|archive-date=5 February 2009}}</ref> Thirteen of the recipients have been British officers serving with Gurkha regiments. Since 1915, the majority have been awarded to Gurkhas serving in the ranks as private soldiers or NCOs.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|p=xvii}} Since Indian independence in 1947, Gurkhas serving in the Indian Army have been awarded three ''[[Param Vir Chakra]]s'', which are equivalent to the Victoria Cross.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.prideofindia.net/param.html\|title=Param Vir Chakra\|work=Pride of India.net\|access-date=29 May 2009\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525075456/http://prideofindia.net/param.html\|archive-date=25 May 2011}}</ref>

	Two [[George Cross]] (GC) medals have been awarded to Gurkha soldiers for acts of bravery.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|p=xvii}} The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In the UK honours system, the George Cross is equal in stature to the Victoria Cross. This has been the case since the introduction of the George Cross in 1940.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Decorations, Gallantry and Distinguished Conduct medals: George Cross \|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility \|website=UK Government \|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref>		Two [[George Cross]] (GC) medals have been awarded to Gurkha soldiers for acts of bravery.{{sfn\|Parker\|2005\|p=xvii}} The George Cross (GC) is the highest award bestowed by the British government for non-operational gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of an enemy. In the UK honours system, the George Cross is equal in stature to the Victoria Cross. This has been the case since the introduction of the George Cross in 1940.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Decorations, Gallantry and Distinguished Conduct medals: George Cross \|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/medals-campaigns-descriptions-and-eligibility \|website=UK Government \|access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref>
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Gurkha - Revision history

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